This update on our strategic plan offers a clear and powerful articulation of our shared vision for the future of our College. But the true magic happens when this vision is brought to life, and that’s what I have the privilege of seeing every single day. It’s in the buzz of excitement in the hallways during E-Week, the deep engagement I see in classrooms as students connect with authors and ideas, and the profound sense of community that shines through when our students lead with such heart and purpose. This update is our promise, and I am incredibly proud to say that it is a promise our students, faculty, and staff are delivering on with passion and purpose every day.
Marc Ayotte, Head of College
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Enhanced student engagement through authentic and experiential opportunities.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
PURPOSEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
All of our learning environments enhance the College experience in purposeful and sustainable ways.
STRATEGIC GOAL: ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING
The development and nourishment of the whole child with attention to the wellbeing of our entire community will be our daily focus.
A WHOLE COLLEGE–INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED
A locally and globally connected community offering a seamless educational experience from 18 months to 18 years that fosters a sense of belonging.
A WHOLE COLLEGE–INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED
JOYFUL ENGAGED INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
STRATEGIC GOAL: DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE LIFELONG COMMUNITY
PURPOSEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
STRATEGIC GOAL: REIMAGINING TIME AND SPACE
RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING
Highlights:
THEME ONE: PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Enhanced student engagement through authentic and experiential opportunities.
A key aspect of our Strategic Plan is to give our students opportunities to find, engage and seek solutions for real-world problems and engage in authentic and experiential learning opportunities. In addition, this Strategic Plan aims to develop, deliver and support interdisciplinary and crossgrade collaboration and learning. Ultimately, we aim to empower each student to have input into their personalized learning pathway, allow them to engage in learning opportunities that will follow their interests and passions, and give them the confidence to take appropriate risks and try new things.
» E-Week Activities for Grade 4/M9: Students had a week of hands-on learning with enriched experiences like Mad Science, woodworking, beekeeping, and culinary classes. They even collaborated with Senior School students on service initiatives.
» Gordon Korman Visit: Bestselling Canadian author Gordon Korman inspired Middle School students with an in-person visit. He shared his writing journey and emphasized creativity and perseverance. Grade 5 got a novel preview just before starting their own Korman book study.
» SK Oviparous Animal Museum: Senior Kindergarten students combined science and art by researching an oviparous animal and creating dioramas of its habitat. They proudly presented their research to an audience of students and parents.
» Senior School House Headlines: House captains and tech students teamed up to create news-desk style videos for Instagram, sharing weekly highlights from athletics, service, and clubs. This initiative promotes leadership, school spirit, and real-world skills like public speaking and video production.
» Middle School E-Week: Grade 6–8 students spent E-Week at Camp Timberlane, engaging in hands-on curricular challenges in nature. They blended subjects, strengthened problemsolving skills, and built lasting connections in a continuous learning environment.
Senior School House Headlines @hscseniorschool
Middle School Guest Speaker: Canadian Author Gordon Korman
Middle School at Camp Timberlane
Early Ed. E-Week Woodworking Workshop
SK Oviparous Animal Museum
Highlights:
THEME TWO: PURPOSEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
All of our learning environments enhance the College experience in purposeful and sustainable ways.
We are grateful to have a large campus with many resources to support student learning. We continue to enhance our indoor and outdoor learning spaces to support and deliver authentic teaching and learning for every grade. We know that the spaces we use and design support empowered learning and must be flexible, dynamic and adaptable to student needs. We also recognize the critical importance of our environment and the existential challenges of the global climate crisis. We are committed to making HSC a leader in Canadian education with respect to practicing, learning and teaching environmental sustainability.
» Earth Day 2025: Campus-wide celebration with 20+ workshops and activities to inspire ecoawareness. Highlights included a watershed model, a birding safari, tree planting, green roof tours, and a photo booth for sustainable dress-down outfits.
» International Day of Biodiversity: Junior School students (JK-Grade 4) transformed their playground into a living laboratory by researching and planting native species. This hands-on project, supported by the Tutty Fund, creates vital habitats and empowers students as biodiversity champions.
» Yard Waste Composting: The grounds team now repurposes all yard waste on campus to build soil fertility and reduce costs, contributing to the circular economy. Initiatives include chipping tree branches for mulch, mulching lawn clippings for natural nitrogen, and switching to an organic fertilizer with frass and biochar.
» Early Education Gardens: Eight Junior and Montessori faculty completed the School Gardening for Educators course, allowing them to refine their garden curricula and support new collaborative gardening projects across the two schools.
» Senior School PBL: Grade 11 and 12 World Issues students designed public products for real audiences, connecting global issues to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent projects included a children’s book on climate change and a zero-waste cookbook, fostering critical thinking and community stewardship.
International Biodiversity Day
Earth Day 2025
Children’s Book created in World Issues Course
Garden Education in Junior and Montessori Schools
Yard Waste Composting
Highlights:
THEME THREE: RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING
The development and nourishment of the whole child with attention to the wellbeing of our entire community will be our daily focus.
We are developing practices to amplify wellbeing and embed it into our school structures and daily routines. We strive to develop a community where students are physically active daily, demonstrate gratitude, are engaged in learning, are mindful and present, and are actively open to caring for others and themselves. Our focus on the HSC ideals enables students to grow into well-rounded leaders who can act with the best interests of themselves and others in mind. In addition, researching and implementing research-based programs and practices that focus on students’, faculty’s, and staff’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing continues to be a priority.
» Faculty Book Club: Over 25 faculty are participating this fall in a book club exploring Never Enough by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. The book takes a powerful look at toxic achievement culture and its impact on today’s youth. Participants will discuss how societal pressures impact student wellbeing and consider how educators can work with families to foster healthier, connected environments.
» Intramurals: Students from the senior Team Games course lead the planning and execution of intramural activities for M8/9, Grade 3/4 classes. They not only sharpened their own leadership skills but helped foster community connections, creating meaningful opportunities for younger students to strengthen their physical literacy, build resilience, and experience the joy of active play.
» Second Step for SEL: The evidence-based Second Step curriculum is being used across Montessori, Junior, and Middle Schools to teach explicit SEL skills. Grade 5 students used the Hopes and Fears protocol for self and social awareness, while Grade 6 students created mindfulness breathing sticks to support emotional wellbeing and self-care.
» Senior School Flex Time Phases: A 3-phased framework was introduced in the Senior School to empower students to personalize their learning through increased flexibility for academic support, enrichment and wellbeing. Students now bring a weekly plan to Monday tutorial, with the phased model designed to teach, model and reinforce executive functioning and time management skills.
Midnfulness Breathing Sticks - Grade 6 SEL Faculty Book Club
Grade 9 student using tutorial flex time for agenda planning
Leadership Through Intramurals
THEME FOUR: A WHOLE COLLEGE –INCLUSIVE AND CONNECTED
A locally and globally connected community offering a seamless educational experience from 18 months to 18 years that fosters a sense of belonging.
We endeavour for all stakeholders to have a sense of belonging to the HSC community, where all members are accepted and celebrated, not only for what brings them together but also for what makes them unique. We are actively focused on becoming a more pluralistic community through recruiting and admitting students and hiring staff who represent the broader community. This also includes ensuring that all members of our community feel safe and welcome. In addition, HSC offers a seamless educational experience for students from 18 months to 18 years. We are uniquely positioned to thoughtfully develop a curriculum continuum that ensures continuity across grade level and division boundaries. Finally, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging among our entire community, including students, staff, faculty, parents and alumni.
Highlights:
» Pep Rally: The College-wide Pep Rally featured school spirit, celebrating HSC athletes and House teams. The event incorporated a wellbeing focus with administrators participating in an ice bucket challenge to raise mental health awareness, with the Head of College passing the challenge on to other schools.
» National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: HSC hosted special guest Autumn Peltier, a clean water activist and Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. She delivered an inspirational call to action for students on Indigenous rights, raising one’s voice, and the interconnectedness of all living things.
» E-Week Alumni Connections: Grade 11 and 12 students traveling to NYC and Boston attended networking events with notable alumni including Dr. Chethan Sathya ’03, Meagan Hill ’07, Jonathan Wong ’14, Se Yun Jackie Kim ’09, Alejandra Meza ’16, Patty Meza ’20 and Grace Kemper ’20. Graduates shared insights on their post-secondary journeys and the value of their HSC experience, providing students with a meaningful opportunity to ask questions and plan for their future.
» Cross-Grade Rugby Skills Session: The Senior Girls’ rugby team ran a rugby practice to teach the JK students the basics of the game. The experience was a wonderful extension to the younger students learning about Oceania (a region well known for its love of rugby) as well as a unique opportunity to connect our youngest and oldest students through movement and collaboration.
School Spirit at the Annual Pep Rally
JK Rugby with the Senior Girls’ Team
Guest Speaker Autumn Peltier
Alumni Networking Panel in NYC
GOAL ONE: ENHANCE THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
We will empower each student to have input into their personalized learning pathway. Voice and choice will extend to student assessment and evaluation. HSC will incorporate a focus on wellbeing throughout all we do and will be at the forefront of all decisions – striking a balance between academic rigour and wellbeing. We will support and empower our faculty to grow as a community of professional educators. Experiential learning opportunities will be a key aspect of our programs. To support this, we will establish a robust network of local, regional, and global partners to provide learning opportunities for our students and teachers and create opportunities for our stakeholders to become more active leaders in our region.
Highlights
» Innovision: Led by Senior School students, this technology showcase provided real-world experience in design, media production, event planning, and hospitality through a vendor market for custom items, hands-on technology demonstrations (e.g., laser cutting, 3D printing), and a student short film festival.
» Partnership with Hamilton Music Collective: In a partnership with the Hamilton Music Collective and Long and McQuade, HSC musicians (Grades 9-12) performed a mini-concert for Grade 1 students from St. Anne’s School and then mentored them during a popular “instrument petting zoo”.
» Meaningful Montessori Conference: Montessori staff hosted a provnce-wide PD conference for other schools focused on applying current educational research to Montessori classroom practice, with all proceeds supporting the capital campaign for the new Middle School.
» Summer AI Institute: Seven faculty members attended the Summer AI Institute at Lakefield College School to explore the role of artificial intelligence in education, resulting in the development of a creative process bot for students and increasing faculty confidence in using AI to refine instructional practice.
Some of the faculty who attended the Summer AI Institute
Meaningful Montessori Conference
Hamilton Music Collective Performance
Comm Tech and Culinary Student Event
GOAL TWO: REIMAGINING TIME AND SPACE
We will reimagine our schedule to empower student learning and enable coordination across schools. Our spaces will also support empowered learning, and we will examine the use of our current spaces and the design of our future spaces to reflect student needs and best practices to promote flexibility and collaboration. We will exemplify environmental sustainability in our decision-making and make HSC a leader in Canadian education with respect to practicing, learning, and teaching environmental sustainability. We will also strive to become one of the most biodiverse campuses in Canada and leverage the learning potential of our outdoor spaces to support authentic teaching and learning.
Highlights
» Camp Mini-Yo-We: Grade 4 and M9 students spent three days at Camp MiniYo-We building friendships and collaboration skills through activities like archery, climbing, and hiking before moving on to Grade 5 together.
» Middle School Upgrades: Significant, cost-effective Middle School upgrades included replacing lockers, installing new eco-friendly flooring and LED lighting (the latter funded by a provincial energy subsidy), and renovating the science lab with flexible furniture and increased writable surfaces to support collaboration and personalized learning.
» New Toddler Playground: Over the summer, the maintenance and grounds team repurposed the existing playground to create an expanded play area for the Montessori toddler students, bringing the teachers’ vision to life.
» Growth of Grow Towers: Extending a previous PBL project supported by a Tutty Fund grant, Grade 2 students used grow towers to enjoy winter salads made of kale and lettuce, then learned to harden off and transplant the seedlings into the Junior School garden.
Renovations to the Middle School Science Classrooms
Camp Mini-Yo We
Upgraded Montessori Toddler Playground
GOAL THREE: DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, LIFELONG COMMUNITY
We recognize, celebrate and honour the diversity in our HSC community and we will actively focus on becoming a more pluralistic community. In our curriculum and learning experiences, we will prioritize the inclusion of widely diverse voices. We will develop a curriculum scaffold that ensures continuity across grade level and division boundaries and will support interdisciplinary and cross-grade collaboration and learning for both students and faculty. We will continue to build lifelong connections with our alumni as integral members of our community. Finally, our parents are key partners in the learning experience for their children and we will deliver a robust parent education program that helps parents partner effectively in support of the shared goals and values of the HSC community.
Highlights
» Montessori Caravan: Montessori students showcased HSC’s welcoming diversity during the annual Caravan celebration by performing in the arts centre and presenting projects on culture, geography, botany, and zoology—some including food samples or handcrafted models—in the Athletic Complex.
» Junior School Spring Concert: “Little Red Around the World,” transformed the stage into a vibrant global passport as students explored diverse cultures and languages through music, dance and storytelling.
» Pluralism Conferences: Demonstrating HSC’s commitment to belonging, faculty and Senior Students attended the “Celebrating Black Joy” and “Brilliance and Resilience” pluralism conferences in the CIS and CAIS networks to broaden perspectives and bring new insights back to the community.
» Music Showcase: This event brought together vocalists and musicians from all four schools in a fusion of talent and mentorship, culminating in a highly complex and joyful medley of songs from various musicals led by Senior School students.
Montessori Caravan Showcase
Spring Music Showcase
Junior School’s “Little Red Around the World”
STRATEGY IN ACTION
STORIES AND HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AT WORK.
THREADS OF OUR COMMUNITY
Theme 2: Purposeful and Sustainable Learning Environments
Theme 4: A Whole College – Inclusive and Connected
Goal 3: Diverse, Inclusive, Equitable, Lifelong Community
There are moments that perfectly capture the vibrant spirit of the HSC community, and the Parents’ Guild Gently Used Uniform program is undoubtedly among them. Far more than a simple transaction, these bustling sales are a powerful expression of our shared commitment to building a connected, sustainable, and supportive community. It’s an initiative that weaves together our strategic themes of fostering a boundless campus and promoting environmental stewardship, turning pre-loved uniforms into a powerful engine for positive change.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our dedicated parent volunteers, what was once an occasional event has transformed into a consistent and visible presence on campus. With the addition of a permanent, branded donation bin and store location, accessing this resource has never been easier. Over the 2024-2025 academic year, their efforts resulted in an astounding success, re-homing over 1,950 uniform items and raising over $32,000. These funds are a valuable resource that directly supports student life and enrichment, allowing us to enhance the learning experience with unique opportunities that go beyond the everyday curriculum. At the same time, the program gives uniforms a second life, providing an affordable and eco-conscious option for families that reinforces our commitment to sustainability.
“The Gently Used Uniform Sale is one of those magical
events where our community’s spirit truly shines,” says Bianca Barton ’03, Parents’ Guild College Liaison. “Our volunteers have done such an amazing job at creating a welcoming and improved shopping experience for families. It is a true testament to what we can achieve when we come together, and every dollar goes right back into creating those unforgettable experiences for our students.” This initiative is a perfect example of our community in action, demonstrating how collective effort and a shared vision can create a profound and lasting impact on every student’s HSC experience.
FUTURE FORWARD WITH HSC’S TECH AMBASSADORS
Theme 1: Personalized Learning
Goal 1: Enhance the Learning Experience
Goal 2: Reimagining Time and Space
At HSC, we believe the most powerful learning happens when students are empowered to lead in an area of passion, transforming their interests into realworld impact. The HSC Tech Ambassadors program is a shining example of this philosophy in action, a dynamic initiative that blends our strategic goals of enhancing the learning experience, reimagining our learning spaces, and extending our community connections beyond our walls.
From Senior School students redesigning their own learning environment to Middle School leaders forging new community connections, our Tech Ambassadors are not just preparing for the future— they are building it. The Senior School group is at the forefront of bringing our vision for purposeful learning environments to life. Tasked with reimagining the Senior School Learning Commons, they have embarked on an authentic journey into architectural design, conducting research visits to Ridley College and Mohawk College to learn from their recent renovations. Now, armed with inspiration and user feedback from their peers and teachers, they are learning design skills to build 3D renderings and present their own innovative ideas for the space.
Middle (top) and Senior (bottom) Tech Ambassadors
“The students are incredibly passionate about the work and the programs we run,” says Colin Milne, HSC’s Privacy and Information Security Manager who also serves as the staff advisor to the group. “Seeing a project go from idea to finished product and everything in between is just as valuable a lesson as learning how the technology itself works. The service-oriented nature of their projects has happened organically, adding immeasurably to the value of this student group.”
This spirit of innovation extends to our Middle School Tech Ambassadors, who are developing a heartwarming partnership with a local retirement
community to bridge the digital divide. Their plan involves offering patient, friendly tech support and, hopefully, hosting a session to teach residents how to play video games. It’s a powerful example of service-based learning that builds empathy and leadership while making a meaningful difference. Supported through peer mentorship from the Senior School Ambassadors, this initiative fosters genuine connection and demonstrates our commitment to creating a boundless campus where learning and community thrive together.
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES FOSTER BELONGING IN MIDDLE AND SENIOR SCHOOL
Theme 1: Personalized Learning
Theme 3: Resilience and Wellbeing
Theme 4: A Whole College – Inclusive and Connected
Goal 1: Enhance the Learning Experience
Goal 3: Diverse, Inclusive, Equitable, Lifelong Community
This fall, HSC took a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a culture of belonging as faculty members from the Middle and Senior Schools participated in a full-day professional learning opportunity on restorative practices –a proven approach to building community and
navigating challenges with empathy and respect. This training was designed to equip our teachers with practical tools and strategies to help students build positive relationships, listen with understanding, and work through conflict in mutually respectful ways. At its core, the practice is guided by a series of simple but profound questions: What happened? What were you thinking of at the time? What have you thought about since? Who has been affected by what you have done? In what way? And finally, what do you think you need to do to make things right?
The training sessions were filled with rich discussion and authentic case studies, giving faculty a chance to apply their new learning immediately. “I found this training session extremely valuable,” says Kathleen Collins, Chair of Academic Strategy. “Through role-playing activities, I was able to practice communication strategies and relationship-building skills. I walked away with tools I can use to nurture a more positive and supportive learning environment. Seeing these strategies consistently applied in their classrooms, students will build deeper connections, feel heard and supported, and develop a stronger sense of belonging.”
By investing in these practices, we are not just managing conflict; we are proactively enhancing the learning experience. We are preparing our young people to grow as responsible citizens, capable of strengthening relationships and contributing to a positive community. These practices are already being put into action, and with faculty in our Montessori and Junior Schools set to complete their training later this year, we are ensuring this supportive, relationshipfocused approach becomes a consistent thread woven throughout the entire HSC journey.
GROUNDWORK FOR GROWTH: NEW SIDEWALKS AND ENTRANCE
Goal 2: Reimagining Time and Space
HSC’s campus is more than just buildings and grounds; it’s the physical heart of our community. How we move through our shared spaces, how we connect with one another, and how safe we feel are all essential elements of the HSC experience. That is why we are so energized by the tangible steps being made to realize our ambitious campus master plan— thoughtful improvements that prioritize safety, accessibility, and connection, laying the groundwork for an even more vibrant future.
This fall, you may have noticed the new sidewalk that now connects the path to the tennis courts, a seemingly small change that has a significant impact on pedestrian safety for our students and families. This is just the beginning. Work
Theme 3: Resilience and Wellbeing Theme 4: A Whole College – Inclusive and Connected
on our new Garth Street entrance is slated to begin, a project that will not only enhance the accessibility of our campus but also create a more welcoming entryway for our entire community. The new entrance will also allow us to create more parking and streamline the Early Education drop-off area to significantly increase safety. These initial steps are the foundational building blocks of a much larger vision, one that leads directly to the future home of our new Middle School. Every pathway laid and every entrance reimagined is a deliberate move toward creating a more interconnected and intuitive campus—a place where every member of our community feels a true sense of belonging.
SERVICE LEARNING AND HSC’S SERVICE PREFECT
Theme 1: Personalized Learning
Theme 4: A Whole College – Inclusive and Connected
Goal 3: Diverse, Inclusive, Equitable, Lifelong Community
Among the essential elements of the HSC experience is a duty to service—a commitment students make to looking beyond themselves to make a meaningful difference in the world. This is where learning becomes authentic, where compassion is cultivated, and where our students discover their capacity to create positive change. Our service learning initiatives are a vibrant expression of our strategic vision, creating a boundless campus that extends into the community and helps our students develop a strong sense of purpose.
Our longstanding partnership with Gore Park Outreach continues to be a cornerstone of this commitment, with students of all ages contributing in countless ways. “Our students inspire me each week as they serve with compassion and joy,” says Linda Watson, faculty advisor for Gore Park Outreach. “They show up every week with smiles and open hearts, eager to serve by distributing meals, care packages and reading materials. Watching them grow in service and leadership fills me with pride and hope for the future.” From weekly sandwich-making and organizing backpack and sock drives to the inspiring work of our Elev8 groups, the spirit of giving is woven into the fabric of daily life at HSC. This was beautifully demonstrated when a Middle School group chose to spend their Saturday
morning serving food to those in need in downtown Hamilton to celebrate the retirement of beloved teacher Mark Mitchell—a perfect tribute that shows how service is simply part of who we are.
This year, we are incredibly honoured to support a partnership between the Andrea Tkaczyk Fund and Hamilton General Hospital. Through this powerful collaboration, HSC students will facilitate the 3 Wishes Project, helping to bring comfort and dignity to patients and their families during incredibly difficult times. This is authentic, meaningful learning at its most profound—an opportunity for our students to lead with empathy, to connect with their community on a deeply human level, and to understand the incredible impact that a simple act of kindness can have. Service Prefect Meera Ghelani sees service as an essential part of the HSC experience, “I feel that the most rewarding part of partaking in service events, particularly Gore Park, is seeing the difference we make as a community. It is truly inspiring to see how impactful we can be as a school!”
FERTILE GROUNDS FOR LEARNING
Theme 2: Purposeful and Sustainable Learning Environments
Goal 1: Enhance the Learning Experience
HSC’s campus is a living classroom, a dynamic ecosystem that offers endless opportunities for discovery and stewardship. In embracing our role as caretakers of this incredible resource, we are proud to be ahead of schedule for our 2030 and 2050 climate goals. This is a powerful testament to our commitment to building purposeful and sustainable learning environments that inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. This year, we are building on this momentum with new leadership and a renewed focus on integrating sustainability into every facet of the HSC experience.
Under the guidance of John Bulger, Innovation Lead, Sustainability, and our new Learning Landscape Coordinator, Jackie Birch, we are embarking on an ambitious project to build a comprehensive PreK-12 climate change continuum. This initiative will ensure that students are learning about climate change in meaningful, age-appropriate ways across all grades and subject areas. Our leadership in this area is already being recognized, with Jackie, John, and retired HSC teacher John Hannah set
to speak about our work at the Global Summit on Climate Education at Appleby College in late October.
Our eco-commitment begins with our faculty. Over the summer, teachers participated in professional development walking tours of campus, exploring themes of biodiversity, energy, and water, and discovering new ways to leverage our expansive grounds for student learning. By strengthening our partnerships with local groups like the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Green Venture and undertaking a campus-wide tree inventory, we are deepening our connection to our local environment and providing students with authentic, hands-on learning opportunities.
"HSC's bold climate action plan continues to promote hope and optimism on our campus," says Bulger. "Our work is
positioning us as a model for schools across Canada and the world. More importantly, our students head home each day and ultimately graduate with the knowledge and skills to live sustainably and lead as environmental stewards. Becoming carbon negative is at the heart of the culture we are cultivating. Yet it is the simple, daily moments in classrooms and outdoor spaces that spark curiosity, inspire action, and make lasting change possible."
THE POWER OF BELONGING
Theme 4: A Whole College – Inclusive and Connected
Goal 3: Diverse, Inclusive, Equitable, Lifelong Community
This year at HSC, we are taking a significant and deliberate step forward in our commitment to fostering a culture of belonging by shifting our language and focus—moving towards the powerful concepts of pluralism and belonging. This is more than just a change in words; it is a promise to actively cultivate the conditions where every individual is seen, heard, respected, and empowered to contribute as their authentic self.
This commitment is now woven into the very fabric of our student leadership, most visibly through the evolution of a key prefect title from Diversity and Inclusion to Pluralism and Belonging. This change sends a clear message about our priorities and has been beautifully articulated by the prefect in this role, Anum Manzoor. In a recent Chapel address, Anum shared what these words mean in action: "Pluralism is just a big word that means we respect every person’s differences... It means we make space for everyone to be seen, heard, and included. Belonging, on the other hand, is something we promise to work on every day. That means we try to treat each other fairly, include everyone in our games, groups, conversations, and speak up if we see someone being left out."
"Belonging" was used as a grounding theme during new student orientation discussions, setting a clear tone from the very first day. Furthermore, we are investing in ongoing professional development for our faculty, equipping them with the tools and understanding necessary to create even more equitable and meaningful learning experiences for every student. By embedding these principles into our leadership, our daily interactions, and our professional growth, we are ensuring that HSC is not just a place to learn, but a place where every single person knows they truly belong.
STRATEGIC PLAN
COMMITTEE
Marc Ayotte Head of College
Jason Caruana Deputy Head of College
Kathleen Collins Chair, Academic Strategy
Liz Davidson Director of Finance
Danielle Hourigan '82 Principal, Montessori School
Eleonor Kerr Director of HR and Operations
Linda Watson Director of Technology, Innovation and Integration
JOYFUL ENGAGED INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY
STRATEGIC PLAN
HILLFIELD STRATHALLAN COLLEGE
Hillfield Strathallan College
299 Fennell Avenue West
Hamilton, ON L9C 1G3
905-389-1367
strategy@hsc.on.ca
www.hsc.on.ca
Our core mission is to develop joyful and engaged students who live life with purpose.
The best learning happens when students are happy to come to school, have opportunities to follow their passions, and participate in deep learning experiences that challenge them.
Joyful, engaged students develop strong relationships with their peers and with the caring adults who spark and support their learning both inside the classroom and beyond.
Their journey at HSC prepares students to live with purpose—to understand their world, inspire, lead, act, and make a difference in their own unique ways.
